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About this Title:

One of the plays in the 1916 Oxford University Press edition of all of Shakespeare’s plays and poems.

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The text is in the public domain.

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This material is put online to further the educational goals of Liberty Fund, Inc. Unless otherwise stated in the Copyright Information section above, this material may be used freely for educational and academic purposes. It may not be used in any way for profit.

ACT I.

Scene I.—: Rome.

The Tomb of the Andronici appearing. The Tribunes and Senators aloft; and then enter Saturninus and his Followers at one door, and Bassianus and his Followers at the other, with drum and colours.

Sat.

Noble patricians, patrons of my right,

Defend the justice of my cause with arms;

And, countrymen, my loving followers,

Plead my successive title with your swords:Craig1916: 4

I am his first-born son that was the last

That wore the imperial diadem of Rome;

Then let my father’s honours live in me,

Nor wrong mine age with this indignity.Craig1916: 8

Bas.

Romans, friends, followers, favourers of my right,

If ever Bassianus, Cæsar’s son,

Were gracious in the eyes of royal Rome,

Keep then this passage to the Capitol,Craig1916: 12

And suffer not dishonour to approach

The imperial seat, to virtue consecrate,

To justice, continence, and nobility;

But let desert in pure election shine,Craig1916: 16

And, Romans, fight for freedom in your choice.

EnterMarcus Andronicus,aloft, with the crown.

Mar.

Princes, that strive by factions and by friends

Ambitiously for rule and empery,

Know that the people of Rome, for whom we standCraig1916: 20

A special party, have, by common voice,

In election for the Roman empery,

Chosen Andronicus, surnamed Pius,

For many good and great deserts to Rome:Craig1916: 24

A nobler man, a braver warrior,

Lives not this day within the city walls:

He by the senate is accited home

From weary wars against the barbarous Goths;

That, with his sons, a terror to our foes,Craig1916: 29

Hath yok’d a nation, strong, train’d up in arms.

Ten years are spent since first he undertook

This cause of Rome, and chastised with armsCraig1916: 32

Our enemies’ pride: five times he hath return’d

Bleeding to Rome, bearing his valiant sons

In coffins from the field;

And now at last, laden with honour’s spoils,Craig1916: 36

Returns the good Andronicus to Rome,

Renowned Titus, flourishing in arms.

Let us entreat, by honour of his name,

Whom worthily you would have now succeed,Craig1916: 40

Edition: current; Page: [853]

And in the Capitol and senate’s right,

Whom you pretend to honour and adore,

That you withdraw you and abate your strength;

Dismiss your followers, and, as suitors should,

Plead your deserts in peace and humbleness.Craig1916: 45

Sat.

How fair the tribune speaks to calm my thoughts!

Bas.

Marcus Andronicus, so I do affy

In thy uprightness and integrity,Craig1916: 48

And so I love and honour thee and thine,

Thy noble brother Titus and his sons,

And her to whom my thoughts are humbled all,

Gracious Lavinia, Rome’s rich ornament,Craig1916: 52

That I will here dismiss my loving friends,

And to my fortunes and the people’s favour

Commit my cause in balance to be weigh’d.

[Exeunt the Followers ofBassianus.

Sat.

Friends, that have been thus forward in my right,Craig1916: 56

I thank you all and here dismiss you all;

And to the love and favour of my country

Commit myself, my person, and the cause.

[Exeunt the Followers ofSaturninus.

Rome, be as just and gracious unto meCraig1916: 60

As I am confident and kind to thee.

Open the gates, and let me in.

Bas.

Tribunes, and me, a poor competitor.

[Flourish. They go up into the Senate-house.

Enter a Captain.

Cap.

Romans, make way! the good Andronicus,Craig1916: 64

Patron of virtue, Rome’s best champion,

Successful in the battles that he fights,

With honour and with fortune is return’d

From where he circumscribed with his sword,Craig1916: 68

And brought to yoke, the enemies of Rome.

Drums and trumpets sounded, and then enterMartiusandMutius;after them two Men bearing a coffin covered with black; thenLuciusandQuintus.After themTitus Andronicus;and thenTamora,withAlarbus, Chiron, Demetrius, Aaron,and other Goths, prisoners; Soldiers and people following. The bearers set down the coffin, andTitusspeaks.

[He writes his name with his staff, and guides it with his feet and mouth.

I have writ my name

Without the help of any hand at all.

Curs’d be that heart that forc’d us to this shift!

Write thou, good niece, and here display at last

What God will have discover’d for revenge.Craig1916: 74

Heaven guide thy pen to print thy sorrows plain,

That we may know the traitors and the truth!

[She takes the staff in her mouth, and guides it with her stumps, and writes.

Tit.

O! do you read, my lord, what she hath writ?Craig1916: 77

Stuprum, Chiron, Demetrius.

Mar.

What, what! the lustful sons of Tamora

Performers of this heinous, bloody deed?Craig1916: 80

Tit.

Magni dominator poli,

Tam lentus audis scelera? tam lentus vides?

Mar.

O! calm thee, gentle lord; although I know

There is enough written upon this earthCraig1916: 84

To stir a mutiny in the mildest thoughts

And arm the minds of infants to exclaims.

My lord, kneel down with me; Lavinia, kneel;

And kneel, sweet boy, the Roman Hector’s hope;

And swear with me, as, with the woeful fereCraig1916: 89

And father of that chaste dishonour’d dame,

Lord Junius Brutus sware for Lucrece’ rape,

That we will prosecute by good adviceCraig1916: 92

Mortal revenge upon these traitorous Goths,

Edition: current; Page: [870]

And see their blood, or die with this reproach.

Tit.

’Tis sure enough, an you knew how;

But if you hunt these bear-whelps, then beware:

The dam will wake, an if she wind you once:Craig1916: 97

She’s with the lion deeply still in league,

And lulls him whilst she playeth on her back,

And when he sleeps will she do what she list.Craig1916: 100

You’re a young huntsman, Marcus; let it alone;

And, come, I will go get a leaf of brass,

And with a gad of steel will write these words,

And lay it by: the angry northern windCraig1916: 104

Will blow these sands like Sibyl’s leaves abroad,

And where’s your lesson then? Boy, what say you?

Boy.

I say, my lord, that if I were a man,

Their mother’s bed-chamber should not be safe

For these bad bondmen to the yoke of Rome.Craig1916: 109

Mar.

Ay, that’s my boy! thy father hath full oft

For his ungrateful country done the like.

Boy.

And, uncle, so will I, an if I live.Craig1916: 112

Tit.

Come, go with me into mine armoury:

Lucius, I’ll fit thee; and withal my boy

Shall carry from me to the empress’ sons

Presents that I intend to send them both:Craig1916: 116

Come, come; thou’lt do thy message, wilt thou not?

Boy.

Ay, with my dagger in their bosoms, grandsire.

Tit.

No, boy, not so; I’ll teach thee another course.

Lavinia, come. Marcus, look to my house;Craig1916: 120

Lucius and I’ll go brave it at the court:

Ay, marry, will we, sir; and we’ll be waited on.

[ExeuntTitus, Lavinia,and Boy.

Mar.

O heavens! can you hear a good man groan,

And not relent or not compassion him?Craig1916: 124

Marcus, attend him in his ecstasy,

That hath more scars of sorrow in his heart

Than foemen’s marks upon his batter’d shield;

But yet so just that he will not revenge.Craig1916: 128

Revenge, ye heavens, for old Andronicus!

[Exit.

Scene II.—: The Same. A Room in the Palace.

Enter, from one side,Aaron, Demetrius,andChiron;from the other youngLucius,and an Attendant, with a bundle of weapons, and verses writ upon them.

Chi.

Demetrius, here’s the son of Lucius;

He hath some message to deliver us.

Aar.

Ay, some mad message from his mad grandfather.

Boy.

My lords, with all the humbleness I may,Craig1916: 4

I greet your honours from Andronicus;

[Aside.] And pray the Roman gods, confound you both!

Dem.

Gramercy, lovely Lucius: what’s the news?

Boy.

[Aside.] That you are both decipher’d, that’s the news,Craig1916: 8

For villains mark’d with rape. [Aloud.] May it please you,

My grandsire, well advis’d, hath sent by me

The goodliest weapons of his armoury,

To gratify your honourable youth,Craig1916: 12

The hope of Rome, for so he bade me say;

And so I do, and with his gifts present

Your lordships, that whenever you have need,

You may be armed and appointed well.Craig1916: 16

And so I leave you both: [Aside.] like bloody villains.

[Exeunt Boy and Attendant.

Dem.

What’s here? A scroll; and written round about?

Let’s see:—

[Reads.] ‘Integer vitæ, scelerisque purus,Craig1916: 20

Non eget Mauri jaculis, nec arcu.

Chi.

O! ’tis a verse in Horace; I know it well:

I read it in the grammar long ago.

Aar.

Ay just, a verse in Horace; right, you have it.Craig1916: 24

[Aside.] Now, what a thing it is to be an ass!

Here’s no sound jest! the old man hath found their guilt

And sends them weapons wrapp’d about with lines,

That wound, beyond their feeling, to the quick;

But were our witty empress well afoot,Craig1916: 29

She would applaud Andronicus’ conceit:

But let her rest in her unrest awhile.

[To them.] And now, young lords, was’t not a happy starCraig1916: 32

Led us to Rome, strangers, and more than so,

Captives, to be advanced to this height?

It did me good before the palace gate

To brave the tribune in his brother’s hearing.Craig1916: 36

Dem.

But me more good, to see so great a lord

Basely insinuate and send us gifts.

Aar.

Had he not reason, Lord Demetrius?

Did you not use his daughter very friendly?Craig1916: 40

Dem.

I would we had a thousand Roman dames

At such a bay, by turn to serve our lust.

Chi.

A charitable wish and full of love.

Aar.

Here lacks but your mother for to say amen.Craig1916: 44

Chi.

And that would she for twenty thousand more.

Dem.

Come, let us go and pray to all the gods

For our beloved mother in her pains.

Edition: current; Page: [871]

Aar.

[Aside.] Pray to the devils; the gods have given us over.

[Trumpets sound.

Dem.

Why do the emperor’s trumpets flourish thus?Craig1916: 49

Chi.

Belike, for joy the emperor hath a son.

Dem.

Soft! who comes here?

Enter a Nurse, with a blackamoor Child.

Nur.

Good morrow, lords. O! tell me, did you seeCraig1916: 52

Aaron the Moor?

Aar.

Well, more or less, or ne’er a whit at all,

Here Aaron is; and what with Aaron now?

Nur.

O gentle Aaron! we are all undone.Craig1916: 56

Now help, or woe betide thee evermore!

Aar.

Why, what a caterwauling dost thou keep!

What dost thou wrap and fumble in thine arms?

Nur.

O! that which I would hide from heaven’s eye,Craig1916: 60

Our empress’ shame, and stately Rome’s disgrace!

She is deliver’d, lords, she is deliver’d.

Aar.

To whom?

Nur.

I mean, she’s brought a-bed.

Aar.

Well, God give her good rest! What hath he sent her?Craig1916: 64

Nur.

A devil.

Aar.

Why, then she’s the devil’s dam: a joyful issue.

Nur.

A joyless, dismal, black, and sorrowful issue.

Here is the babe, as loathsome as a toadCraig1916: 68

Amongst the fairest breeders of our clime.

The empress sends it thee, thy stamp, thy seal,

And bids thee christen it with thy dagger’s point.

Aar.

’Zounds, ye whore! is black so base a hue?Craig1916: 72

Sweet blowse, you are a beauteous blossom, sure.

Dem.

Villain, what hast thou done?

Aar.

That which thou canst not undo.

Chi.

Thou hast undone our mother.Craig1916: 76

Aar

Villain, I have done thy mother.

Dem.

And therein, hellish dog, thou hast undone.

Woe to her chance, and damn’d her loathed choice!

Accurs’d the offspring of so foul a fiend!Craig1916: 80

Chi.

It shall not live.

Aar.

It shall not die.

Nur.

Aaron, it must; the mother wills it so.

Aar.

What! must it, nurse? then let no man but ICraig1916: 84

Do execution on my flesh and blood.

Dem.

I’ll broach the tadpole on my rapier’s point:

Nurse, give it me; my sword shall soon dispatch it.

Aar.

Sooner this sword shall plough thy bowels up.Craig1916: 88

[Takes the Child from the Nurse, and draws.

Stay, murderous villains! will you kill your brother?

Now, by the burning tapers of the sky,

That shone so brightly when this boy was got,

He dies upon my scimitar’s sharp pointCraig1916: 92

That touches this my first-born son and heir.

I tell you, younglings, not Enceladus,

With all his threatening band of Typhon’s brood,

Nor great Alcides, nor the god of war,Craig1916: 96

Shall seize this prey out of his father’s hands.

What, what, ye sanguine, shallow-hearted boys!

Ye white-lim’d walls! ye alehouse painted signs!

Coal-black is better than another hue,Craig1916: 100

In that it scorns to bear another hue;

For all the water in the ocean

Can never turn the swan’s black legs to white,

Although she lave them hourly in the flood.Craig1916: 104

Tell the empress from me, I am of age

To keep mine own, excuse it how she can.

Dem.

Wilt thou betray thy noble mistress thus?

Aar.

My mistress is my mistress; this myself;Craig1916: 108

The vigour, and the picture of my youth:

This before all the world do I prefer;

This maugre all the world will I keep safe,

Or some of you shall smoke for it in Rome.Craig1916: 112

Dem.

By this our mother is for ever sham’d.

Chi.

Rome will despise her for this foul escape.

Nur.

The emperor in his rage will doom her death.

Chi.

I blush to think upon this ignomy.Craig1916: 116

Aar.

Why, there’s the privilege your beauty bears.

Fie, treacherous hue! that will betray with blushing

The close enacts and counsels of the heart:

Here’s a young lad fram’d of another leer:Craig1916: 120

Look how the black slavesmiles upon the father,

As who should say, ‘Old lad, I am thine own.’

He is your brother, lords, sensibly fed

Of that self blood that first gave life to you;Craig1916: 124

And from that womb where you imprison’d were

He is enfranchised and come to light:

Nay, he is your brother by the surer side,

Although my seal be stamped in his face.Craig1916: 128

Edition: current; Page: [872]

Nur.

Aaron, what shall I say unto the empress?

Dem.

Advise thee, Aaron, what is to be done,

And we will all subscribe to thy advice:

Save thou the child, so we may all be safe.Craig1916: 132

Aar.

Then sit we down, and let us all consult,

My son and I will have the wind of you:

Keep there; now talk at pleasure of your safety.

[They sit.

Dem.

How many women saw this child of his?

Aar.

Why, so, brave lords! when we join in league,Craig1916: 137

I am a lamb; but if you brave the Moor,

The chafed boar, the mountain lioness,

The ocean swells not so as Aaron storms.Craig1916: 140

But say, again, how many saw the child?

Nur.

Cornelia the midwife, and myself,

And no one else but the deliver’d empress.

Aar.

The empress, the midwife, and yourself:Craig1916: 144

Two may keep counsel when the third’s away.

Go to the empress; tell her this I said:

[Stabbing her.

‘Weke, weke!’

So cries a pig prepared to the spit.Craig1916: 148

Dem.

What mean’st thou, Aaron? Wherefore didst thou this?

Aar.

O lord, sir, ’tis a deed of policy:

Shall she live to betray this guilt of ours,

A long-tongu’d babbling gossip? no, lords, no.

And now be it known to you my full intent.Craig1916: 153

Not far, one Muli lives, my countryman;

His wife but yesternight was brought to bed.

His child is like to her, fair as you are:Craig1916: 156

Go pack with him, and give the mother gold,

And tell them both the circumstance of all,

And how by this their child shall be advanc’d,

And be received for the emperor’s heir,Craig1916: 160

And substituted in the place of mine,

To calm this tempest whirling in the court;

And let the emperor dandle him for his own.

Hark ye, lords; you see, I have given her physic,

[Pointing to the Nurse.

And you must needs bestow her funeral;Craig1916: 165

The fields are near, and you are gallant grooms.

This done, see that you take no longer days,

But send the midwife presently to me.Craig1916: 168

The midwife and the nurse well made away,

Then let the ladies tattle what they please.

Chi.

Aaron, I see thou wilt not trust the air

With secrets.

Dem.

For this care of Tamora,Craig1916: 172

Herself and hers are highly hound to thee.

[ExeuntDemetriusandChiron,bearing off the Nurse’s body.

Aar.

Now to the Goths, as swift as swallow flies:

There to dispose this treasure in mine arms,

And secretly to greet the empress’ friends.Craig1916: 176

Come on, you thick-lipp’d slave, I’ll bear you hence;

For it is you that puts us to our shifts:

I’ll make you feed on berries and on roots,

And feed on curds and whey, and suck the goat,

And cabin in a cave, and bring you upCraig1916: 181

To be a warrior, and command a camp.

[Exit with the Child.

Scene III.—: The Same. A Public Place.

EnterTitus,bearing arrows, with letters on the ends of them; with himMarcus,youngLucius, Publius, Sempronius, Caius,and other Gentlemen, with bows.

Tit.

Come, Marcus, come; kinsmen, this is the way.

Sir boy, now let me see your archery:

Look ye draw home enough, and ’tis there straight.

Terras Astræa reliquit:Craig1916: 4

Be you remember’d, Marcus, she’s gone, she’s fled.

Sirs, take you to your tools. You, cousins, shall

Go sound the ocean, and cast your nets;

Happily you may find her in the sea;Craig1916: 8

Yet there’s as little justice as at land.

No; Publius and Sempronius, you must do it;

’Tis you must dig with mattock and with spade,

And pierce the inmost centre of the earth:Craig1916: 12

Then, when you come to Pluto’s region,

I pray you, deliver him this petition;

Tell him, it is for justice and for aid,

And that it comes from old Andronicus,Craig1916: 16

Shaken with sorrows in ungrateful Rome.

Ah! Rome. Well, well; I made thee miserable

What time I threw the people’s suffrages

On him that thus doth tyrannize o’er me.Craig1916: 20

Go, get you gone; and pray be careful all,

And leave you not a man-of-war unsearch’d:

This wicked emperor may have shipp’d her hence;

And, kinsmen, then we may go pipe for justice.

Mar.

O Publius! is not this a heavy case,Craig1916: 25

To see thy noble uncle thus distract?

Pub.

Therefore, my lord, it highly us concerns

By day and night to attend him carefully,Craig1916: 28

And feed his humour kindly as we may,

Till time beget some careful remedy.

Mar.

Kinsmen, his sorrows are past remedy.

Join with the Goths, and with revengeful warCraig1916: 32

Take wreak on Rome for this ingratitude,

And vengeance on the traitor Saturnine.

Tit.

Publius, how now! how now, my masters!

What! have you met with her?Craig1916: 36

Edition: current; Page: [873]

Pub.

No, my good lord; but Pluto sends you word,

If you will have Revenge from hell, you shall:

Marry, for Justice, she is so employ’d,

He thinks, with Jove in heaven, or somewhere else,Craig1916: 40

So that perforce you must needs stay a time.

Tit.

He doth me wrong to feed me with delays.

I’ll dive into the burning lake below,

And pull her out of Acheron by the heels.Craig1916: 44

Marcus, we are but shrubs, no cedars we;

No big-bon’d men fram’d of the Cyclops’ size;

But metal, Marcus, steel to the very back,

Yet wrung with wrongs more than our backs can bear:Craig1916: 48

And sith there’s no justice in earth nor hell,

We will solicit heaven and move the gods

To send down Justice for to wreak our wrongs.

Come, to this gear. You are a good archer, Marcus.

[He gives them the arrows.

Ad Javem, that’s for you: here, ad Apollinem:

Ad Martem, that’s for myself:

Here, boy, to Pallas: here, to Mercury:

To Saturn, Caius, not to Saturnine;Craig1916: 56

You were as good to shoot against the wind.

To it, boy! Marcus, loose when I bid.

Of my word, I have written to effect;

There’s not a god left unsolicited.Craig1916: 60

Mar.

Kinsmen, shoot all your shafts into the court:

We will afflict the emperor in his pride.

Tit.

Now, masters, draw. [They shoot.] O! well said, Lucius!

Good boy, in Virgo’s lap: give it Pallas.Craig1916: 64

Mar.

My lord, I aim a mile beyond the moon;

Your letter is with Jupiter by this.

Tit.

Ha! Publius, Publius, what hast thou done?

See, see! thou hast shot off one of Taurus’ horns.

Mar.

This was the sport, my lord: when Publius shot,Craig1916: 69

The Bull, being gall’d, gave Aries such a knock

That down fell both the Ram’s horns in the court;

And who should find them but the empress’ villain?Craig1916: 72

She laugh’d, and told the Moor, he should not choose

But give them to his master for a present.

Tit.

Why, there it goes: God give his lordship joy!

Enter a Clown, with a basket, and two pigeons in it.

News! news from heaven! Marcus, the post is come.Craig1916: 76

Sirrah, what tidings? have you any letters?

Shall I have justice? what says Jupiter?

Clo.

O! tho gibbet-maker? He says that he hath taken them down again, for the man must not be hanged till the next week.Craig1916: 81

Tit.

But what says Jupiter, I ask thee?

Clo.

Alas! sir, I know not Jupiter; I never drank with him in all my life.Craig1916: 84

Tit.

Why, villain, art not thou the carrier?

Clo.

Ay, of my pigeons, sir; nothing else.

Tit.

Why, didst thou not come from heaven?

Clo.

From heaven! alas! sir, I never came there. God forbid I should be so bold to press to heaven in my young days. Why, I am going with my pigeons to the tribunal plebs, to take up a matter of brawl betwixt my uncle and one of the emperial’s men.Craig1916: 93

Mar.

Why, sir, that is as fit as can be to serve for your oration; and let him deliver the pigeons to the emperor from you.Craig1916: 96

Tit.

Tell me, can you deliver an oration to the emperor with a grace?

Clo.

Nay, truly, sir, I could never say grace in all my life.Craig1916: 100

Tit.

Sirrah, come hither: make no more ado,

But give your pigeons to the emperor:

By me thou shalt have justice at his hands.

Hold, hold; meanwhile, here’s money for thy charges.Craig1916: 104

Give me pen and ink.

Sirrah, can you with a grace deliver a supplication?

Clo.

Ay, sir.

Tit.

Then here is a supplication for you. And when you come to him, at the first approach you must kneel; then kiss his foot; then deliver up your pigeons; and then look for your reward. I’ll be at hand, sir; see you do it bravely.

Clo.

I warrant you, sir; let me alone.Craig1916: 113

Tit.

Sirrah, hast thou a knife? Come, let me see it.

Here, Marcus, fold it in the oration;

For thou hast made it like a humble suppliant:

And when thou hast given it to the emperor,Craig1916: 117

Knock at my door, and tell me what he says.

Clo.

God be with you, sir; I will.

Tit.

Come, Marcus, let us go. Publius, follow me.

[Exeunt.

Scene IV.—: The Same. Before the Palace.

EnterSaturninus, Tamora, Demetrius, Chiron, Lords, and Others:Saturninuswith the arrows in his hand thatTitusshot.

Sat.

Why, lords, what wrongs are these! Was ever seen

An emperor of Rome thus overborne,

Edition: current; Page: [874]

Troubled, confronted thus; and, for the extent

Of egal justice, us’d in such contempt?Craig1916: 4

My lords, you know, as do the mightful gods,—

However these disturbers of our peace

Buzz in the people’s ears,—there nought hath pass’d,

But even with law, against the wilful sonsCraig1916: 8

Of old Andronicus. And what an if

His sorrows have so overwhelm’d his wits,

Shall we be thus afflicted in his wreaks,

His fits, his frenzy, and his bitterness?Craig1916: 12

And now he writes to heaven for his redress:

See, here’s to Jove, and this to Mercury;

This to Apollo; this to the god of war;

Sweet scrolls to fly about the streets of Rome!Craig1916: 16

What’s this but libelling against the senate,

And blazoning our injustice every where?

A goodly humour, is it not, my lords?

As who would say, in Rome no justice were.Craig1916: 20

But if I live, his feigned ecstasies

Shall be no shelter to these outrages;

But he and his shall know that justice lives

In Saturninus’ health; whom, if she sleep,Craig1916: 24

He’ll so awake, as she in fury shall

Cut off the proud’st conspirator that lives.

Tam.

My gracious lord, my lovely Saturnine,

Lord of my life, commander of my thoughts,Craig1916: 28

Calm thee, and bear the faults of Titus’ age,

The effects of sorrow for his valiant sons,

Whose loss hath pierc’d him deep and scarr’d his heart;

And rather comfort his distressed plightCraig1916: 32

Than prosecute the meanest or the best

For these contempts.—[Aside.] Why, thus it shall become

High-witted Tamora to gloze with all:

But, Titus, I have touch’d thee to the quick,Craig1916: 36

Thy life-blood out: if Aaron now be wise,

Then is all safe, the anchor’s in the port.

Enter Clown.

How now, good fellow! wouldst thou speak with us?

Clo.

Yea, forsooth, an your mistership be emperial.Craig1916: 40

Tam.

Empress I am, but yonder sits the emperor.

Clo.

’Tis he. God and Saint Stephen give you good den.

I have brought you a letter and a couple of pigeons here.

[Saturninusreads the letter.

Sat.

Go, take him away, and hang him presently.Craig1916: 44

Clo.

How much money must I have?

Tam.

Come, sirrah, you must be hanged.

Clo.

Hanged! By ’r, lady, then I have brought up a neck to a fair end.

[Exit, guarded.

Sat.

Despiteful and intolerable wrongs!Craig1916: 49

Shall I endure this monstrous villany?

I know from whence this same device proceeds:

May this be borne? As if his traitorous sons,Craig1916: 52

That died by law for murder of our brother,

Have by my means been butcher’d wrongfully!

Go, drag the villain hither by the hair;

Nor age nor honour shall shape privilege.Craig1916: 56

For this proud mock I’ll be thy slaughterman;

Sly frantic wretch, that holp’st to make me great,

In hope thyself should govern Rome and me.

EnterÆmilius.

What news with thee, Æmilius?Craig1916: 60

Æmil.

Arm, arm, my lord! Rome never had more cause.

The Goths have gather’d head, and with a power

Of high-resolved men, bent to the spoil,

They hither march amain, under conductCraig1916: 64

Of Lucius, son to old Andronicus;

Who threats, in course of this revenge, to do

As much as ever Coriolanus did.

Sat.

Is war-like Lucius general of the Goths?

These tidings nip me, and I hang the headCraig1916: 69

As flowers with frost or grass beat down with storms.

Ay, now begin our sorrows to approach:

’Tis he the common people love so much;Craig1916: 72

Myself hath often heard them say,

When I have walked like a private man,

That Lucius’ banishment was wrongfully,

And they have wish’d that Lucius were their emperor.Craig1916: 76

Tam.

Why should you fear? is not your city strong?

Sat.

Ay, but the citizens favour Lucius,

And will revolt from me to succour him.

Tam.

King, be thy thoughts imperious, like thy name.Craig1916: 80

Is the sun dimm’d, that gnats do fly in it?

The eagle suffers little birds to sing,

And is not careful what they mean thereby,

Knowing that with the shadow of his wingsCraig1916: 84

He can at pleasure stint their melody;

Even so mayst thou the giddy men of Rome.

Then cheer thy spirit; for know, thou emperor,

I will enchant the old AndronicusCraig1916: 88

With words more sweet, and yet more dangerous,

Than baits to fish, or honey-stalks to sheep,

Whenas the one is wounded with the bait,

The other rotted with delicious feed.Craig1916: 92

Sat.

But he will not entreat his son for us.

Tam.

If Tamora entreat him, then he will:

For I can smooth and fill his aged ear

Edition: current; Page: [875]

With golden promises, that, were his heartCraig1916: 96

Almost impregnable, his old ears deaf,

Yet should both ear and heart obey my tongue.

[ToÆmilius.] Go thou before, be our ambassador:

Say that the emperor requests a parleyCraig1916: 100

Of war-like Lucius, and appoint the meeting,

Even at his father’s house, the old Andronicus.

Sat.

Æmilius, do this message honourably:

And if he stand on hostage for his safety,Craig1916: 104

Bid him demand what pledge will please him best.

Æmil.

Your bidding shall I do effectually.

[Exit.

Tam.

Now will I to that old Andronicus,

And temper him with all the art I have,Craig1916: 108

To pluck proud Lucius from the war-like Goths.

And now, sweet emperor, be blithe again,

And bury all thy fear in my devices.

Sat.

Then go successantly, and plead to him.

[Exeunt.

ACT V.

Scene I.—: Plains near Rome.

Flourish. EnterLucius,and an army of Goths, with drums and colours.

Luc.

Approved warriors, and my faithful friends,

I have received letters from great Rome,

Which signify what hate they bear their emperor,

And how desirous of our sight they are.Craig1916: 4

Therefore, great lords, be, as your titles witness,

Imperious and impatient of your wrongs;

And wherein Rome hath done you any scath,

Let him make treble satisfaction.Craig1916: 8

First Goth.

Brave slip, sprung from the great Andronicus,

Whose name was once our terror, now our comfort;

Whose high exploits and honourable deeds

Ingrateful Rome requites with foul contempt,Craig1916: 12

Be bold in us: we’ll follow where thou lead’st,

Like stinging bees in hottest summer’s day

Led by their master to the flower’d fields,

And be aveng’d on cursed Tamora.Craig1916: 16

Goths.

And, as he saith, so say we all with him.

Luc.

I humbly thank him, and I thank you all.

But who comes here, led by a lusty Goth?

Enter a Goth, leadingAaron,with his Child in his arms.

Sec. Goth.

Renowned Lucius, from our troops I stray’d,Craig1916: 20

To gaze upon a ruinous monastery;

And as I earnestly did fix mine eye

Upon the wasted building, suddenly

I heard a child cry underneath a wall.Craig1916: 24

I made unto the noise; when soon I heard

The crying babe controll’d with this discourse:

‘Peace, tawny slave, half me and half thy dam!

Did not thy hue bewray whose brat thou art,Craig1916: 28

Had nature lent thee but thy mother’s look,

Villain, thou mightst have been an emperor:

But where the bull and cow are both milk-white,

They never do beget a coal-black calf.Craig1916: 32

Peace, villain, peace!’—even thus he rates the babe,—

‘For I must bear thee to a trusty Goth;

Who, when he knows thou art the empress’ babe,

Will hold thee dearly for thy mother’s sake.’Craig1916: 36

With this, my weapon drawn, I rush’d upon him,

Surpris’d him suddenly, and brought him hither,

To use as you think needful of the man.

Luc.

O worthy Goth, this is the incarnate devilCraig1916: 40

That robb’d Andronicus of his good hand:

This is the pearl that pleas’d your empress’ eye,

And here’s the base fruit of his burning lust.

Say, wall-ey’d slave, whither wouldst thou conveyCraig1916: 44

This growing image of thy fiend-like face?

Why dost not speak? What! deaf? not a word?

A halter, soldiers! hang him on this tree,

And by his side his fruit of bastardy.Craig1916: 48

Aar.

Touch not the boy; he is of royal blood.

Luc.

Too like the sire for ever being good.

First hang the child, that he may see it sprawl;

A sight to vex the father’s soul withal.Craig1916: 52

Get me a ladder.

[A ladder brought, whichAaronis made to ascend.

Aar.

Lucius, save the child;

And bear it from me to the empress.

If thou do this, I’ll show thee wondrous things,

That highly may advantage thee to hear:Craig1916: 56

If thou wilt not, befall what may befall,

I’ll speak no more but ‘Vengeance rot you all!’

Luc.

Say on; and if it please me which thou speak’st,

Thy child shall live, and I will see it nourish’d.

Aar.

An if it please thee! why, assure thee, Lucius,Craig1916: 61

’Twill vex’thy soul to hear what I shall speak;

For I must talk of murders, rapes, and massacres,

Edition: current; Page: [876]

Acts of black night, abominable deeds,Craig1916: 64

Complots of mischief, treason, villanies

Ruthful to hear, yet piteously perform’d:

And this shall all be buried by my death,

Unless thou swear to me my child shall live.Craig1916: 68

Luc.

Tell on thy mind: I say, thy child shall live.

Aar.

Swear that he shall, and then I will begin.

Luc.

Who should I swear by? thou believ’st no god:

That granted, how canst thou believe an oath?

Aar.

What if I do not? as, indeed, I do not;

Yet, for I know thou art religious,

And hast a thing within thee called conscience,

With twenty popish tricks and ceremonies,Craig1916: 76

Which I have seen thee careful to observe,

Therefore I urge thy oath; for that I know

An idiot holds his bauble for a god,

And keeps the oath which by that god he swears,

To that I’ll urge him: therefore thou shalt vow

By that same god, what god soe’er it be,

That thou ador’st and hast in reverence,

To save my boy, to nourish and bring him up:

Or else I will discover nought to thee.Craig1916: 85

Luc.

Even by my god I swear to thee I will.

Aar.

First, know thou, I begot him on the empress.

Luc.

O most insatiate and luxurious woman!

Aar.

Tut! Lucius, this was but a deed of charityCraig1916: 89

To that which thou shalt hear of me anon.

’Twas her two sons that murder’d Bassianus;

They cut thy sister’s tongue and ravish’d her,Craig1916: 92

And cut her hands and trimm’d her as thou saw’st.

Luc.

O detestable villain! call’st thou that trimming?

Aar.

Why, she was wash’d, and cut, and trimm’d, and ’twas

Trim sport for them that had the doing of it.Craig1916: 96

Luc.

O barbarous, beastly villains, like thyself!

Aar.

Indeed, I was their tutor to instruct them.

That codding spirit had they from their mother,

As sure a card as ever won the set;Craig1916: 100

That bloody mind, I think, they learn’d of me

As true a dog as ever fought at head.

Well, let my deeds be witness of my worth.

I train’d thy brethren to that guileful holeCraig1916: 104

Where the dead corpse of Bassianus lay;

I wrote the letter that thy father found,

And hid the gold within the letter mention’d,

Confederate with the queen and her two sons:

And what not done, that thou hast cause to rue,

Wherein I had no stroke of mischief in it?

I play’d the cheater for thy father’s hand,

And, when I had it, drew myself apart,Craig1916: 112

And almost broke my heart with extreme laughter.

I pry’d me through the crevice of a wall

When, for his hand, he had his two sons’ heads;

Beheld his tears, and laugh’d so heartily,Craig1916: 116

That both mine eyes were rainy like to his:

And when I told the empress of this sport,

She swounded almost at my pleasing tale,

And for my tidings gave me twenty kisses.Craig1916: 120

First Goth.

What! canst thou say all this, and never blush?

Aar.

Ay, like a black dog, as the saying is.

Luc.

Art thou not sorry for these heinous deeds?

Aar.

Ay, that I had not done a thousand more.Craig1916: 124

Even now I curse the day, and yet, I think,

Few come within the compass of my curse,

Wherein I did not some notorious ill:

As kill a man, or else devise his death;Craig1916: 128

Ravish a maid, or plot the way to do it;

Accuse some innocent, and forswear myself;

Set deadly enmity between two friends;

Make poor men’s cattle break their necks;Craig1916: 132

Set fire on barns and hay-stacks in the night,

And bid the owners quench them with their tears,

Oft have I digg’d up dead men from their graves,

And set them upright at their dear friends’ doors,Craig1916: 136

Even when their sorrows almost were forgot;

And on their skins, as on the bark of trees,

Have with my knife carved in Roman letters,

‘Let not your sorrow die, though I am dead.’Craig1916: 140

Tut! I have done a thousand dreadful things

As willingly as one would kill a fly,

And nothing grieves me heartily indeed

But that I cannot do ten thousand more.Craig1916: 144

Luc.

Bring down the devil, for he must not die

So sweet a death as hanging presently.

Aar.

If there be devils, would I were a devil,

To live and burn in everlasting fire,Craig1916: 148

So I might have your company in hell,

But to torment you with my bitter tongue!

Luc.

Sirs, stop his mouth, and let him speak no more.

Enter a Goth.

Goth.

My lord, there is a messenger from RomeCraig1916: 152

Desires to be admitted to your presence.

Luc.

Let him come near.

Edition: current; Page: [877]

Enter Æmilius.

Welcome, Æmilius! what’s the news from Rome?

Æmil.

Lord Lucius, and you princes of the Goths,Craig1916: 156

The Roman emperor greets you all by me;

And, for he understands you are in arms,

He craves a parley at your father’s house,

Willing you to demand your hostages,Craig1916: 160

And they shall be immediately deliver’d.

First Goth.

What says our general?

Luc.

Æmilius, let the emperor give his pledges

Unto my father and my uncle Marcus,Craig1916: 164

And we will come. March away.

[Exeunt.

Scene II.—: Rome. BeforeTitus’ House.

EnterTamora, Demetrius,andChiron,disguised.

Tam.

Thus, in this strange and sad habiliment,

I will encounter with Andronicus,

And say I am Revenge, sent from below

To join with him and right his heinous wrongs.

Knock at his study, where, they say, he keeps,Craig1916: 5

To ruminate strange plots of dire revenge;

Tell him, Revenge is come to join with him,

And work confusion on his enemies.Craig1916: 8

[They knock.

EnterTitus,above.

Tit.

Who doth molest my contemplation?

Is it your trick to make me ope the door,

That so my sad decrees may fly away,

And all my study be to no effect?Craig1916: 12

You are deceiv’d; for what I mean to do,

See here, in bloody lines I have set down;

And what is written shall be executed.

Tam.

Titus, I am come to talk with thee.Craig1916: 16

Tit.

No, not a word; how can I grace my talk,

Wanting a hand to give it action?

Thou hast the odds of me; therefore no more.

Tam.

If thou didst know me, thou wouldst talk with me.Craig1916: 20

Tit.

I am not mad; I know thee well enough:

Witness this wretched stump, witness these crimson lines;

Witness these trenches made by grief and care;

Witness the tiring day and heavy night;Craig1916: 24

Witness all sorrow, that I know thee well

For our proud empress, mighty Tamora.

Is not thy coming for my other hand?

Tam.

Know, thou sad man, I am not Tamora;Craig1916: 28

She is thy enemy, and I thy friend:

I am Revenge, sent from the infernal kingdom,

To ease the gnawing vulture of thy mind,

By working wreakful vengeance on thy foes.Craig1916: 32

Come down, and welcome me to this world’s light;

Confer with me of murder and of death.

There’s not a hollow cave or lurking-place,

No vast obscurity or misty vale,Craig1916: 36

Where bloody murder or detested rape

Can couch for fear, but I will find them out;

And in their ears tell them my dreadful name,

Revenge, which makes the foul offender quake.

Tit.

Art thou Revenge? and art thou sent to me,Craig1916: 41

To be a torment to mine enemies?

Tam.

I am; therefore come down, and welcome me.

Tit.

Do me some service ere I come to thee.

Lo, by thy side where Rape and Murder stands;

Now give some surance that thou art Revenge:

Stab them, or tear them on thy chariot-wheels,

And then I’ll come and be thy waggoner,Craig1916: 48

And whirl along with thee about the globe.

Provide two proper palfreys, black as jet,

To hale thy vengeful waggon swift away,

And find out murderers in their guilty caves:Craig1916: 52

And when thy car is loaden with their heads,

I will dismount, and by the waggon-wheel

Trot like a servile footman all day long,

Even from Hyperion’s rising in the eastCraig1916: 56

Until his very downfall in the sea:

And day by day I’ll do this heavy task,

So thou destroy Rapine and Murder there.

Tam.

These are my ministers, and come with me.Craig1916: 60

Tit.

Are these thy ministers? what are they call’d?

Tam.

Rapine and Murder; therefore called so,

Cause they take vengeance of such kind of men.

Tit.

Good Lord, how like the empress’ sons they are,Craig1916: 64

And you the empress! but we worldly men

Have miserable, mad, mistaking eyes.

O sweet Revenge! now do I come to thee;

And, if one arm’s embracement will content thee,Craig1916: 68

I will embrace thee in it by and by.

[Exit above.

Tam.

This closing with him fits his lunacy.

Whate’er I forge to feed his brain-sick fits,

Do you uphold and maintain in your speeches,Craig1916: 72

For now he firmly takes me for Revenge;

And, being credulous in this mad thought,

I’ll make him send for Lucius his son;

And, whilst I at a banquet hold him sure,Craig1916: 76

I’ll find some cunning practice out of hand

Edition: current; Page: [878]

To scatter and disperse the giddy Goths,

Or, at the least, make them his enemies.

See, here he comes, and I must ply my theme.Craig1916: 80

EnterTitus.

Tit.

Long have I been forlorn, and all for thee:

Welcome, dread Fury, to my woeful house:

Rapine and Murder, you are welcome too.

How like the empress and her sons you are!Craig1916: 84

Well are you fitted had you but a Moor:

Could not all hell afford you such a devil?

For well I wot the empress never wags

But in her company there is a Moor;Craig1916: 88

And would you represent our queen aright,

It were convenient you had such a devil.

But welcome as you are. What shall we do?

Tam.

What wouldst thou have us do, Andronicus?Craig1916: 92

Dem.

Show me a murderer, I’ll deal with him.

Chi.

Show me a villain that hath done a rape,

And I am sent to be reveng’d on him.

Tam.

Show me a thousand that have done thee wrong,Craig1916: 96

And I will be revenged on them all.

Tit.

Look round about the wicked streets of Rome,

And when thou find’st a man that’s like thyself,

Good Murder, stab him; he’s a murderer.Craig1916: 100

Go thou with him; and when it is thy hap

To find another that is like to thee,

Good Rapine, stab him; he’s a ravisher.

Go thou with them; and in the emperor’s courtCraig1916: 104

There is a queen attended by a Moor;

Well mayst thou know her by thy own proportion,

For up and down she doth resemble thee:

I pray thee, do on them some violent death;Craig1916: 108

They have been violent to me and mine.

Tam.

Well hast thou lesson’d us; this shall we do.

But would it please thee, good Andronicus,

To send for Lucius, thy thrice-valiant son,Craig1916: 112

Who leads towards Rome a band of war-like Goths,

And bid him come and banquet at thy house:

When he is here, even at thy solemn feast,

I will bring in the empress and her sons,Craig1916: 116

The emperor himself, and all thy foes,

And at thy mercy shall they stoop and kneel,

And on them shalt thou ease thy angry heart.

What says Andronicus to this device?Craig1916: 120

Tit.

Marcus, my brother! ’tis sad Titus calls.

EnterMarcus.

Go, gentle Marcus, to thy nephew Lucius;

Thou shalt inquire him out among the Goths:

Bid him repair to me, and bring with himCraig1916: 124

Some of the chiefest princes of the Goths;

Bid him encamp his soldiers where they are:

Tell him, the emperor and the empress too

Feast at my house, and he shall feast with them.

This do thou for my love; and so let him,Craig1916: 129

As he regards his aged father’s life.

Mar.

This will I do, and soon return again.

[Exit.

Tam.

Now will I hence about thy business,Craig1916: 132

And take my ministers along with me.

Tit.

Nay, nay, let Rape and Murder stay with me;

Or else I’ll call my brother back again,

And cleave to no revenge but Lucius.Craig1916: 136

Tam.

[Aside to her sons.] What say you, boys? will you abide with him,

Whiles I go tell my lord the emperor

How I have govern’d our determin’d jest?

Yield to his humour, smooth and speak him fair,Craig1916: 140

And tarry with him till I turn again.

Tit.

[Aside.] I know them all, though they suppose me mad;

And will o’er-reach them in their own devices;

A pair of cursed hell-hounds and their dam.Craig1916: 144

Dem.

[Aside toTamora.] Madam, depart at pleasure; leave us here.

Tam.

Farewell, Andronicus: Revenge now goes

To lay a complot to betray thy foes.

[ExitTamora.

Tit.

I know thou dost; and, sweet Revenge, farewell.Craig1916: 148

Chi.

Tell us, old man, how shall we be employ’d?

Tit.

Tut! I have work enough for you to do.

Publius, come hither, Caius, and Valentine!

EnterPubliusand Others.

Pub.

What is your will?Craig1916: 152

Tit.

Know you these two?

Pub.

The empress’ sons,

I take them, Chiron and Demetrius.

Tit.

Fie, Publius, fie! thou art too much deceiv’d;Craig1916: 156

The one is Murder, Rape is the other’s name;

And therefore bind them, gentle Publius;

Caius and Valentine, lay hands on them;

Oft have you heard me wish for such an hour,

And now I find it: therefore bind them sure,Craig1916: 161

And stop their mouths, if they begin to cry.

[Exit.Publius,&c., seizeChironandDemetrius.

Edition: current; Page: [879]

Chi.

Villains, forbear! we are the empress’ sons.

Pub.

And therefore do we what we are commanded.Craig1916: 164

Stop close their mouths, let them not speak a word.

Is he sure bound? look that you bind them fast.

Re-enterTitus,withLavinia;she bearing a basin, and he a knife.

Tit.

Come, come, Lavinia; look, thy foes are bound.

Sirs, stop their mouths, let them not speak to me,Craig1916: 168

But let them hear what fearful words I utter.

O villains, Chiron and Demetrius!

Here stands the spring whom you have stain’d with mud,

This goodly summer with your winter mix’d.Craig1916: 172

You kill’d her husband, and for that vile fault

Two of her brothers were condemn’d to death,

My hand cut off and made a merry jest:

Both her sweet hands, her tongue, and that more dearCraig1916: 176

Than hands or tongue, her spotless chastity,

Inhuman traitors, you constrain’d and forc’d.

What would you say if I should let you speak?

Villains! for shame you could not beg for grace.

Hark, wretches! how I mean to martyr you.Craig1916: 181

This one hand yet is left to cut your throats,

Whilst that Levinia ’tween her stumps doth hold

The basin that receives your guilty blood.Craig1916: 184

You know your mother means to feast with me,

And calls herself Revenge, and thinks me mad.

Hark! villains, I will grind your bones to dust,

And with your blood and it I’ll make a paste;

And of the paste a coffin I will rear,Craig1916: 189

And make two pasties of your shameful heads;

And bid that strumpet, your unhallow’d dam,

Like to the earth swallow her own increase.Craig1916: 192

This is the feast that I have bid her to,

And this the banquet she shall surfeit on;

For worse than Philomel you us’d my daughter,

And worse than Procne I will be reveng’d.Craig1916: 196

And now prepare your throats. Lavinia, come.

[He cuts their throats.

Receive the blood: and when that they are dead,

Let me go grind their bones to powder small,

And with this hateful liquor temper it;Craig1916: 200

And in that paste let their vile heads be bak’d.

Come, come, be every one officious

To make this banquet, which I wish may prove

More stern and bloody than the Centaurs’ feast.

So, now bring them in, for I will play the cook,

And see them ready ’gainst their mother comes.

[Exeunt, bearing the dead bodies.

Scene III.—: The Same. Court of Titus’ House. A banquet set out.

EnterLucius, Marcusand Goths, withAaronprisoner.

Luc.

Uncle Marcus, since it is my father’s mind

That I repair to Rome, I am content.

First Goth.

And ours with thine, befall what fortune will.

Luc.

Good uncle, take you in this barbarous Moor,Craig1916: 4

This ravenous tiger, this accursed devil;

Let him receive no sustenance, fetter him,

Till he be brought unto the empress’ face,

For testimony of her foul proceedings:Craig1916: 8

And see the ambush of our friends be strong;

I fear the emperor means no good to us.

Aar.

Some devil whisper curses in mine ear,

And prompt me, that my tongue may utter forthCraig1916: 12

The venomous malice of my swelling heart!

Luc.

Away, inhuman dog! unhallow’d slave!

Sirs, help our uncle to convey him in.

[Exeunt Goths, withAaron.Trumpets sound.

The trumpets show the emperor is at hand.Craig1916: 16

EnterSaturninusandTamora,withÆmilius, Senators, Tribunes, and Others.

Sat.

What! hath the firmament more suns than one?

Luc.

What boots it thee, to call thyself a sun?

Mar.

Rome’s emperor, and nephew, break the parle;

These quarrels must be quietly debated.Craig1916: 20

The feast is ready which the careful Titus

Hath ordain’d to an honourable end,

For peace, for love, for league, and good to Rome:

Please you, therefore, draw nigh, and take your places.Craig1916: 24

Sat.

Marcus, we will.

[Hautboys sound.

EnterTitus,dressed like a cook,Lavinia,veiled, youngLucius,and Others.Titusplaces the dishes on the table.

Tit.

Welcome, my gracious lord; welcome, dread queen;

Welcome, ye war-like Goths; welcome, Lucius;

And welcome, all. Although the cheer be poor,

’Twill fill your stomachs; please you eat of it.Craig1916: 29

Sat.

Why art thou thus attir’d, Andronicus?

Tit.

Because I would be sure to have all well

To entertain your highness, and your empress.

Tam.

We are beholding to you, good Andronicus.Craig1916: 33

Edition: current; Page: [880]

Tit.

An if your highness knew my heart, you were.

My lord the emperor, resolve me this:

Was it well done of rash VirginiusCraig1916: 36

To slay his daughter with his own right hand,

Because she was enforced, stain’d, and deflower’d?

Sat.

It was, Andronicus.

Tit.

Your reason, mighty lord?Craig1916: 40

Sat.

Because the girl should not survive her shame,

And by her presence still renew his sorrows.

Tit.

A reason mighty, strong, and effectual;

A pattern, precedent, and lively warrant,Craig1916: 44

For me most wretched, to perform the like.

Die, die. Lavinia, and thy shame with thee;

And with thy shame thy father’s sorrow die!

[KillsLavinia.

Sat.

What hast thou done, unnatural and unkind?Craig1916: 48

Tit.

Kill’d her, for whom my tears have made me blind.

I am as woeful as Virginius was,

And have a thousand times more cause than he

To do this outrage: and it is now done.Craig1916: 52

Sat.

What! was she ravish’d? tell who did the deed.

Tit.

Will ’t please you eat? will ’t please your highness feed?

Tam.

Why hast thou slain thine only daughter thus?

Tit.

Not I; ’twas Chiron and Demetrius:Craig1916: 56

They ravish’d her, and cut away her tongue:

And they, ’twas they, that did her all this wrong.

Sat.

Go fetch them hither to us presently.

Tit.

Why, there they are both, baked in that pie;Craig1916: 60

Whereof their mother daintily hath fed,

Eating the flesh that she herself hath bred.

’Tis true, ’tis true; witness my knife’s sharp point.

[KillsTamora.

Sat.

Die, frantic wretch, for this accursed deed!

[KillsTitus.

Luc.

Can the son’s eye behold his father bleed?Craig1916: 65

There’s meed for meed, death for a deadly deed!

[KillsSaturninus.A great tumult. The people in confusion disperse.Marcus, Lucius,and their partisans, go up into the balcony.